Bulova 1950 Military Issue

Submitted by sechrid on
Manufacture Year
1950
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello, I found this watch in some stuff that I received from my late grandfather. He was a WW2 veteran and I was just hoping to find out some information on it. I truly appreciate any help you may be able to give me. Take care,  David Sechrist 

Not sure
Not sure
JimDon5822
Posted December 20, 2021 - 9:14pm

You have a real gem of a family heirloom.  This most assuredly is a mid 1940's US Military Issue Ordnance Department watch.  These were given to WWII soldiers who worked in non-combat rolls during WWII.  To be more specific we would need to see the movement.  Congratulations.

Kathy L.
Posted December 21, 2021 - 9:38am

Welcome to myBulova David, and thank you for sharing this wonderful heirloom from your grandfather, congrats!  It looks to be a Military Issue watch like this one https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1944-military-issue-7898 if you look in the comments there is a chart for the serial numbers.

1944 Bulova Military Issue

mybulova_admin
Posted December 22, 2021 - 5:38pm

Interesting the backcase stamping differences, mainly ORD CORPS versus ORD DEPT. 

In fact I believe this is the first 'ORD COPRS' caseback we have in the database.

Here is the coding for military watches and the meaning of OF.

Bulova Military ordnance case markings

Looking at the case OF number and it being a 6 digit number, it lines up with around 1945.

So for me. 1945 Bulova Military Issue

sechrid
Posted December 22, 2021 - 8:47pm

Thank you all for the info. Ever since I found it I have had so many questions about it. Thanks again!

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 22, 2021 - 11:19pm

I don't know when Bulova changed the case text, but here is an interesting bit of info on the "Corps vs. Dept." designation.

Per the Army Reorganization Act of 1950, the Ordnance Department was renamed the Ordnance Corps. With the outbreak of the Korean War, the Ordnance Corps largely re-established its successful procedures from World War II. It reactivated the various schools and units at Aberdeen Proving Ground, which had been dis-established following the end of World War II, to serve the Korea effort.

mybulova_admin
Posted December 27, 2021 - 1:01am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

So with this in mind and with a possible name change date of 1950, is it plausable to say the subject watch is post 1949?

Geoff Baker
Posted December 23, 2021 - 9:08pm

1945 Bulova Military Issue is a good ID

mybulova_admin
Posted December 30, 2021 - 1:16am

Can we re-date to 1950 based on the above information?